Sport

Mixed draws for North-East's big three

MIDDLESBROUGH and Newcastle United have been handed home ties in the FA Cup third round, while Martin O'Neill's first taste of knock-out football with Sunderland will be at London Road.

O'Neill, who watched the Black Cats' Premier League game at Wolves this afternoon, is likely to be officially unveiled as Sunderland manager on Tuesday.

And he was yesterday handed a tricky test at Championship club Peterborough United on the weekend of January 7 and 8 as his first FA Cup match in charge.

The only other two North-East clubs still in the competition are Boro and Newcastle, who were handed welcome matches in front of their own fans.

Middlesbrough's looks the easiest of the two having been paired with League Two team Shrewsbury Town.

The Shrews, managed by Graham Turner and fourth in the bottom tier, overcame Rotherham on Saturday and their reward was a trip to the Riverside Stadium.

Newcastle face an all-Premier League tie with Blackburn at St James' Park, with manager Alan Pardew previously outlining a desire to lead the Magpies
to silverware in the cup competitions during his time in charge.

The tie of the round is the one which will see Premier League leaders and FA Cup holders Manchester City take on rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.